But what is the problem and how do you check if your Vauxhall Zafira is affected?

What exactly is the problem?

The problem seems to lie in the car’s ventilation system, which can heat up and even ignite.

Vauxhall says its own investigations into the issue suggest it could be down to ‘previous repairs being performed improperly or using non-genuine parts.’

A Vauxhall Zafira goes up in flames at a service station on the M6 (Image: UGC MSN)

It says: “These improper repairs, which may have been conducted without the owners’ knowledge, can lead to overheating of the system’s electrical components and the potential for a fire. Resistors should never be repaired, they should only be replaced.

“Since then we have been conducting a recall programme designed to return vehicles to their original condition.

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Vauxhall has written to around 235,000 affected owners to announce a series of fixes for the problem.

To check if your car has been recalled, check with Vauxhall or use the new HPI recall check.

A father and his two young children narrowly avoided being killed after this Vauxhall Zafira burst into flames (Image: Evening Gazette)

My car is affected. What should I do?

Vauxhall suggests you take the following steps if your car has not yet been repaired.

Firstly, book your car in for repairs.

The work, which is free, will see engineers inspect the heating and ventilation system on each vehicle and, as a precautionary measure, replace the resistor in every one.

Vauxhall has written to around 235,000 affected owners to announce a series of fixes for the problem

You should only use blower motor fan speed setting 0 or 4.

If the blower motor fan is not operating in speed 4 it is recommended to set your fan speed to 0 in order to prevent the possibility of the fuse blowing. Under these circumstances you should contact your local Vauxhall retailer to arrange repairs.